England¡¯s higher education regulator has found three ¡°concerns¡± in a report on the University of Bedfordshire¡¯s business and management courses, in the latest of its government-initiated investigations to be published.

The Office for Students said its ¡°identified three concerns that may relate to the University of Bedfordshire¡¯s compliance with the OfS¡¯s conditions of registration¡±: on ¡°limited flexibility¡± for working students; on ¡°limited central monitoring of student engagement with their course¡±, including those at risk of dropping out; and a lack of steps to address ¡°low continuation rates¡±.

From 2016-17 to 2019-20, the non-continuation rate for students on Bedfordshire¡¯s undergraduate business and management courses was 40.7 per cent, the OfS said.

The investigation was?among eight announced by the OfS in May 2022,?after a?letter from ministers?said they ¡°would expect a?significant number of investigations to be initiated¡± at larger universities falling short of the regulator¡¯s new B3 quality baselines, which cover student continuation and completion, and graduate progression to ¡°professional employment¡±.

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Previous OfS reports on business and management investigations found?four ¡°areas of concern¡±?at the University of Bolton, no concerns at London South Bank University and?no concerns?at the University of East London.

On concern one in the?, the OfS said ¡°undergraduate courses were delivered mainly through a traditional full-time student model that operated during standard teaching hours with limited flexibility for students¡±, a problem given student cohorts ¡°that the university acknowledged were non-traditional in nature, with many students who were working full time while studying¡±.

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¡°This concern relates to condition B1, because this condition requires that the higher education provider must ensure that the students registered on each higher education course receive a high quality academic experience, including that courses should be effectively delivered,¡± it added.

Concern two, on limited monitoring of student engagement, ¡°relates to condition B2, because this condition requires that the higher education provider take all reasonable steps to ensure students receive sufficient academic resources and support¡±.

In concern three, the OfS said, there was ¡°an inability to take effective action to address low continuation¡±.

Jean Arnold, deputy director of quality at the OfS, said: ¡°Today¡¯s report does not contain the OfS¡¯s regulatory judgement about the quality of business and management courses at the University of Bedfordshire. Before taking any regulatory decisions, the OfS will look closely at the assessment team¡¯s findings and consider the next steps in the investigation, which may include considering whether any regulatory action is appropriate.¡±

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Bedfordshire has been approached for comment.

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com